New Medical education centre to open at the Friarage in Northallerton
The centre will provide state-of-the-art training facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students and Friarage staff. It will also provide an increasing range of training opportunities for healthcare staff across North Yorkshire, Hambleton and Richmondshire in the future.
Friends of the Friarage intend to donate over £300,000 for the centre’s development and equipment. The Friarage’s aging education centre will move to a modern education suite located in the hospital’s current headquarters above Gara ward.
The development includes an immersive simulation teaching space, a library, three teaching rooms, a computer room, a common room for all medical staff and students, offices and a video wall.
Jennie Winnard, director of education, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the upgrade will bring the Friarage into the 21st century, will attract more medical students and will allow staff to train at the Northallerton hospital rather than travel to The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
She added: “I would like to say thank you to the Friends of the Friarage and to everyone in advance for their donations. Your donations will allow us to move forward in education, allowing us to move the medical care given at the Friarage forward and make sure it is always up to date and at the forefront.
Having such top class facilities keeps the Friarage where we all want it to be – at the forefront providing top class care.
David Macafee, director of medical education, said: “The Friends of the Friarage STRIVE academic centre will showcase Northallerton as a fabulous place for our Hull York, Newcastle and Sunderland medical students to train in.
“Immersive simulation and these other educational facilities are great ways to recruit and retain new doctors, nurses and healthcare staff to our area.
“Thank you to the Friends for once again enhancing our simulation and educational capabilities.
“Thanks also to all Friarage staff who have continued to train and support our trainees through these COVID times.”
Friends of the Friarage joint chairman Dr Antony Walters said: “We are delighted to be helping provide a bespoke modern academic centre at the Friarage Hospital.
“As trustees we know that first class training facilities will attract the best medical, nursing, and paramedical students and staff."
Hopefully, many will wish to continue their careers at the Friarage and within Hambleton and Richmondshire thus providing excellent health care to us all.
